QSR1853/1/5/19

Depositions of Thomas Townsend, labourer of Leighton Buzzard and Thomas Worsley, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. (also deposition of William Reeve, crossed out) In the case of Frederick Brandom accused of stealing a wooden wash tray.

3 December 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

William Reeve: (statement regarding his ownership and loss of a wooden washing tray is crossed out) Thomas Townsend: employed by William Reeve, a gardener of Leighton Buzzard. He could identify the wooden washing tray as that of his master, as he had been in the habit of using to feed his masters horse. About 10 day previous it had been in the field in Leighton but he was then told by his master of its loss. Last time he had seen the tray it had been covered in carrot tops in order to conceal it. Thomas Worsley: being advised of the loss he went to the house of the suspect Frederick Brown. On searching he found the wooden washing tray concealed under the stair hole. He took the prisoner into custody and advised him of the charge. Asked how he had come by the tray, the prisoner initially hesitated and then said he had found it near William Reeves field and that it had been washed down by the flood. Worsley knew the field and he never seen it flooded within 100 yards.Statement of the accused: he had found the tray in running wateer about 4 furlongs from where it had been lost. He went over a ridge to get it.

item

Brandom, Frederick,
Reeve, William,
Townsend, Thomas,
Worsley, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, stealing